Seems like I am the contrarian. I think the look of the second rug is more to what you seem to be after. You don't seem to love the first one. The monotones are very soothing and it's really okay to have a monotone room, if that is what you like. Decorating is all about you. I like your inspiration picture with the second rug a lot. It's clean and that's what contemporary/modern is all about. The nice thing about a neutral room is that you can change it out when ever you want. If monotone is where your eye is going than my suggestion is you go with your eye. If you should choose to add color, something like the pillow attached would work with the 2nd rug as a color influence. It would bring in another texture. You can just pick any color in the pillow for vases and other accessories. I think the second mirror is more classic than the first. There is nothing wrong with the first as a matter of fact, I feel it has more of a wow factor but I also feel it will outdate itself. I would suggest a lamp with a ligher shade since the tables are dark. I am not sure I would go with silk drapes but once again, they will be fine to use. I just see something more casual in material like a heavy linen or something with gommets (did I spell that right?). Here is a link that might be useful: Pillows

Roobear .. thanks for offering to do a PS visual for me, that's super nice of you! I've been contemplating removing the chair rail, the only thing that's stopping me is I know they were not only nailed, but liquid nailed to the wall. I think the damage that would occur would warrant new sheetrock in the room. I wish it wasn't put up so zealously. *LOL* Suero .. I agree the frames should be kept brown to go with the sepia pictures. Newhomebuilder .. Thanks for posting the pic, I did get it to work. Your bookcases look great, I like how they are trimmed on the top and above the mantel .. very pretty! On a positive note .. it looks like we can pick up 500 board foot of beadboard on Monday!! :D I'm really happy about this. It means that ceiling will get redone with beadboard, the living room ceiling will get redone and we can build the new bookcases to abut the mantel in the family room. While I was out this after noon I stopped by my favorite consignment shop and found two great end tables for this room and she was willing to let the set go for $75. Next on the list I need to figure out what to use as a center light for the room and whether I want to put sconces above the fireplace.

I'm not a big fan of mirrors that reflect ceilings. However, if it would fit with your decor, you could age the mirrored surface so that you could get the sparkle without a specific reflection.

Usually you want a mirror to hang where it will reflect something worth seeing twice and/or to bounce light around a room that may be lacking it. I would forego a mirror on your fireplace and look for some beautiful colorful art instead. It's much too high for a mirror, I think. Your Christmas decorations are lovely!